raspado
/rasˈpado/
Shaved ice in Spanish is raspado.
The term refers to a jellylike dessert.
Meaning: jellylike dessert (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word raspado means scraped, which comes from the verb raspar (to scrape) and refers to the process of scraping ice.
Which one should you use?
While raspado implies ice that has been scraped, the word granizado is often used to refer to a dessert with a more finely crushed or slushy-like consistency.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, raspado is the most common term for this dessert and the informal phrase nieve raspada is also particularly common there. In Colombia, the term Cholao is used to refer to shaved ice.
How do you pronounce it?
/rasˈpado/
Did you know?
- In some regions of Mexico, raspados are served with chamoy, a salty and spicy condiment made from pickled apricots, plums and peaches.
- In many Latin American countries, the colorful syrups used in a raspado are often called jarabes, which is the same word used for medicinal syrups.
- In some Latin American cultures, raspados are consumed as a way to stave off heat during religious processions or outdoor festivals.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿puedo pedir un helado raspado, por favor?Excuse me, may I have a helado raspado, please?
- Me gustaría un granizado de fresa, por favor.I'd like a granizado with strawberry flavor, please.
- ¡Oye, vamos a buscar unos raspados!Hey, let's go grab some raspados!
- Quiero un raspado de fresa.I want a strawberry shaved ice.
- El raspado está muy frío.The shaved ice is very cold.
- Ella compró un raspado de limón.She bought a lemon shaved ice.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are at a street food market.
- AlejandroElena, ¿quieres un raspado?Elena, do you want a shaved ice?
- ElenaSí, me gustaría uno de fresa.Yes, I would like a strawberry one.
- AlejandroYo pediré un raspado de limón.I will order a lemon shaved ice.
- ElenaPerfecto, gracias Alejandro.Perfect, thank you Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry raspado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
